[Nfb-krafters-korner] What Should I Charge?

Mon Mar 19 18:56:50 UTC 2012

One thing that crafters could try is if their items are not selling, try to lower the price or even try having a sign that says   "SALE"  mark the item down a little so people feel they are getting a bargain!   People are funny like that!!!!

Cindy Z.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Neva Fairchild
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 6:39 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] What Should I Charge?

I have always used the rule of thumb that I learned many years ago...Triple
your material cost. Now, that being said, something that is made with a few
dollars worth of clay and paint, doesn't fit this rule. Your talent,
artistic flair, etc. should be taken into account. For me, with bead
weaving, I cannot use the rule either because the beads are so expensive
that the necklace would cost almost $200 and no one is going to pay that for
glass pearls and seed beads, even if it is lovely. So, the rule becomes,
what will the market bear? Some trial and error is called for and if you
can't sell something for enough to recoup your materials cost and make you
feel good about the time you put into the project, then only you can decide
if you want to do that project again. With card making, my daughter and I
have had to lower our prices to such a point that making large quantities of
cards no longer appeals. Sometimes people aren't willing to pay even $1 per
hand made card. I agree with whoever said that craft fairs are hit or miss.
It seems to me that  the people who go to craft sales are crafters
themselves and they are looking for good ideas not necessarily looking to
buy.

Neva Fairchild
972 416-7039

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Denise Shaible
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 2:27 AM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets

Thank you for all of the information.  These suggestions are good for no
matter what we sell.  My NFB chapter is holding a bake sale soon and we're
going to use the apps on the Ipone to help with money.  I really like the
idea of looking people in the eye and having things labeled in print and
Braille.  That way, we know what we're selling and can answer any questions.

I like the boutique idea and will probably put something in the holiday
boutique at Braille Institute at Christmas time this year.  I really need to
get in gear if I'm ever going to sell anything.  Oh, one question, how do
you decide what to charge for your work, such as jewelry?  I would find this
interesting if anyone can give me some information.  Thanks again.

Regards,

Denise

-----Original Message-----
From: joseli Walter
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 4:29 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets

Love my Ipod touch with money identifier app, (uh, kinda forgot what it's
called.)
But it's awesome!

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sahar Husseini
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 6:16 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets

Also, you might want to invest in a money identifier.  If you have an
IPhone, there are a couple of aps.  I also have the IBill, a stand-alone
money identifier; I paid $100 for it, and it was worth every penny.  I don't
leave home without it.  I am not usually comfortable selling by myself.
I've done craft shows, and I find them more stressful than they're worth.
Lynda, it is so good to hear someone else echoing my sentiment.  It's funny
this has come up just after you and I corresponded about it.  I feel
validated, as I told you in my private message to hear you saying what you
said because people think I'm crazy when I tell them I'm not comfortable
with craft shows and that I think they're often a waste of time.  People are
often looking for a bargain, and not necessarily quality.  The best craft
shows I have ever been in are those at convention.  I love doing those; they
are definitely worth the stress.  *smile*

Warm regards,
Sahar Husseini
For hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, please visit my Website at
www.saharscreations.com Find me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/saharscreations And remember, "Obstacles don't have to stop
you.
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Michael Jordan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lindy van der Merwe" <stephlin at iafrica.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets

Thanks, Linda, for all the tips and ideas. I have not yet decided to do the
craft market on a permanent basis. You have reminded me to also look for
some other alternatives and have given me some great ideas to work with. My
sincere thanks.
It looks like I will have someone with me for my next market, so I'm sure it

will also help me get comfortable if I decide to do this type of selling
more in future.
Kindest regards.
Lindy

Find PRACTICAL PRODUCTS on FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/practicalproducts
----- Original Message -----
From: "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 2:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets

>I sell jewelry and knitted accessories. I no longer do "craft shows" but I
>do some higher end "Holiday Markets."  The ones I do now are set up
>boutique style where the customers show the entire show, then bring the
>things they wish to purchase to the "check out" area where it is sold and
>bagged for them. This works perfect for a blind person because you do not
>stay at your area, other than to come in a replenish the stock.  A much
>better clientelle visites this type of market, and you get much better
>prices.
>
> I did do craft shows for quite a few years. I soon learned that shows held

> in churches, fire halls, and schools are typically very low end ones and
> flooded with tons of people there to have lunch and visit, but not to buy.

> And, they are not discriminate about how many vendors they have selling a
> particular thing. ie, they may have a dozen tables of jewelry vendors -
> which means very little sales for any of them.
>
>
> I do only one show now in which I am there at my booth the whole time. It
> is in a museum, so again, the clientelle is much better and they are
> really there to buy nice things.
>
> I always have a family member at my booth with me.
> I am alone at times when they take a bathroom break, and after doing this
> many times for the four years I have been without sight, I am always quite

> nervous.
> There is no way anyone would know I am blind at all. Even after I say so,
> they are skeptical about it. I look them in the eye, and I engage with
> them through gestures as I always did before. There is nothing about me
> that reads "blind" unless they saw me walking in with my cane.
>
> Customers always say "over there" "that one" "this one" the "pink one"
> etc. That is the normal way for a person who can see to designate things
> and they have no idea that we cannot know what they mean. They are really
> clueless about blindness - I sure was! I understand this.
>
> Here is what I do that helps though:
> I put a  clearly marked  price tag is on every item.
> If they ask the price, I hand it to them and say, "Here, you can see the
> price on the tag." I also put any other pertinent information on the tag -

> I use large tags so it is very CLEAR to them.
> Money? I have the bills put in an order that is always the same. I use
> only bills and never have any change. This eliminates a very big worry.
>
> I never price anything with "cents" involved. Everything with only
> "dollars" this way the item is $5. or $10. etc.  You can back the taxes
> off of the price after you get home.  When you do your pricing, just round

> it UP to the next dollar amount. This has saved me so much worries. This
> way you need never worry about making change with those coins.
>
> You can get a money ID thing for your bills. I have an ID PacMate that
> reads bar codes so you can even make bar codes for your items which is
> pretty cool.
>
> Any time I sell things that are different colors, I put them in "Roy G.
> Biv" order. In fact, everything I can put into that order in my own
> house - all my jewelry is in Roy G. Biv order. Roy G. Biv means Red,
> Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.  In my home I have plexiglas
> containers that are tall. Each one has a lid, and each one holds one color

> of necklaces. They are in Roy G. Biv order on my dresser. No worries about

> what color I am getting, if it is kept in order.
> Another special container holds all my earrings in this order, too. I
> found a wonderful Earring Box on Home Shopping Network. It holds 72 pairs
> of earrings. All in order and easy for me to find just what I am looking
> for.
>
> I do know that some people will definitely cheat you if given the
> opportunity. If I had not had my daughter with me to watch the
> transactions, there were some times when I would have given a person
> change for a $20. when she really gave me a $10. and the person stood
> there waiting for the change. My daughter saw it happening and ran over to

> clue me in. Also, teen age girls come into your booth in groups and they
> are there to steal - one engages you in conversation while the firends are

> stealing. This happens a lot at outdoor festivals. I cannot imagine being
> in the booth alone without some watchful eyes to watch the crowd -
> especially when you sell jewelry. It is small and very easily slid off the

> table into a tote bag even when a person CAN see well.
>
> Those would be my most important tips after about 10 years of doing arts
> festivals, craft shows, and markets.
>
> Lynda River Woman
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lindy van der Merwe" <stephlin at iafrica.com>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:03 AM
> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
>
>> Hi there,
>> To those who sell at craft markets, I was wondering about a few things.
>> 1 Do any of you manage a stall or a table on your own, or do you usually
>> have someone there to help?
>> 2 If you do it on your own, how do you answer the questions: how much is
>> this? or I'd like to take this ... or Do you have change for this?
>> 3 How do you handle sorting and exchanging paper money?
>> I had my first experience with selling at a stall last Saturday and these

>> were some of the aspects I had to deal with.
>> I don't think it is immediately obvious that I am blind, which did make
>> for some awkward situations, I thought.
>> Perhaps there may be some obvious answers to some of these questions, or
>> perhaps I just need some practice with being more comfortable in dealing
>> with strangers in that type of setting?
>> I know it will be most helpful to have prices on either the products or
>> on the containers they reside in, but it just felt like people related to

>> me using gestures a lot of the time, which obviously made communication
>> somewhat difficult and even though I wanted to respond in a confident
>> manner, I found it quite challenging at times.
>> Any ideas and thoughts would be much appreciated.
>> Lindy
>>
>>
>> Find PRACTICAL PRODUCTS on FACEBOOK:
>> http://www.facebook.com/practicalproducts
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <Blindhands at aol.com>
>> To: <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 5:28 AM
>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking for volunteers
>>
>>
>>>I am looking for teachers to teach the classes.  Do you know or are  you
>>> interested in teaching any of these suggested classes?  I need
>>> volunteers to
>>> teach.
>>>
>>> Heads up we hopefully will be having an email class with an Origami
>>> project
>>> in  the near future.    I will do a soap class and a sewing  class, but
>>> I
>>> am busy with kicking off my new craft business.   I am  not sure if I
>>> can
>>> fit classes in that I will teach between now and middle of  July.  I
>>> have 4
>>> holidays between now and then to fill orders.   Hopefully I am putting
>>> St.
>>> Patty's Day Wild Irish Roses to bed maybe by  tomorrow.  I have 100 in
>>> reserve
>>> for my Irish Bar that is selling soo many  of them.  I spent the last 2
>>> days
>>> working on Easter ones to get a head  start.  I will know on Wednesday
>>> if
>>> they need any more St. Patty's Day  ones.
>>>
>>> We need to wait for the Latch Hook class to be finished before we start
>>> a
>>> new email class.  I want to only do one at a time email class for now,
>>> until we work any problems out.
>>>
>>> So think about what you can teach, host a chat night  topic.    I will
>>> be
>>> there to help with what YOU do.
>>>
>>> Krafters Korner is for everyone and everyone makes Krafters Korner what
>>> it
>>> is!
>>> Joyce  Kane
>>> _www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/)
>>> Blindhands at AOL.com
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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>>
>
>
>
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